Do you have a definite idea about how you’d like to decorate your future home? Generally, women think more about decorating and beautifying the home, but some men care very much about color schemes and furniture placement. I would think most men would care about furniture placement more as a means of effectiveness than beauty. At any rate, you and your future spouse will have to agree on your home’s layout. If it seems like you and your significant other are moving towards engagement, it is a good idea to briefly discuss your expectations for your first home – and for your dream home. Most … [Read more...]

Flexibility: it is so easy for some and so hard for others. When I was a child, I struggled so much when plans didn’t go according to schedule. Maybe I didn’t care so much if we ran one errand before another, but I would care greatly if we were supposed to go out for pizza and plans changed. If I had my heart set on pizza, I was greatly distressed if pizza didn’t come (I guess I still get distressed if I don’t get pizza, so, maybe that’s a bad example ~smile~). As I grew up, and especially after getting married, I found that flexibility is a part of being an adult. Without it, you will … [Read more...]

Over a year ago, I sat down to write a blog on the fantasy of marriage while my golden retriever puppy, Ramsey, whined her fluffy little head off. It was almost impossible to concentrate on writing due to her relentless screams for attention. She made it clear who she thought was in charge! ~smile~ In the post, I made a profound comparison.... At the time, I compared the fantasy of bringing home a perfect, adorable puppy to the fantasy I once had of bringing home a perfect, adorable husband. In the same way that my dream of owning a perfect blonde doggie died when I brought home a stubborn, … [Read more...]

Whether a person seems fat or not can be based solely on who he or she is standing beside in line. Someone who is considered healthy and fit may look large next to a group of junior gymnasts’ whereas, someone who has a body mass index of 40 and racked with health problems may seem small standing in a crowd of people trying out for The Biggest Loser. Perspective is powerful. Earlier in our marriage, I had some concerns about our relationship. According to my ideal image of what every healthy marriage should look like, I felt Eric and I were lacking in some areas and it deeply concerned … [Read more...]

Selfishness is sneaky. Sometimes it comes upon us in socially acceptable ways. Perhaps we want something that the world thinks is good; but, do we want it so badly that we make it an idol in our lives? Has there ever been anyone who has not been consumed with wanting something? I think we all have… in some area of our lives. When I was younger, I was obsessed with the idea of getting married. At the time, I was not ready for marriage – and I knew that – but I was obsessed with worrying that he would never come. What would I do if he never came? Yesterday, all of those feelings came back to … [Read more...]